I found another unusual hunting story among the reminiscences of Joseph Coe.   Coe and his family were early settlers in northwest Ohio.  The story was published 1837 & 1868 in the Troy Times Newspaper, and subsequently by Juda Moyer’s marvelous compilation, Pioneer Recollections of Miami Valley of Ohio 1797-1850.

“The traditional reminisces of Mr. Coe are not filled with adventure that would claim public interest. He states he has studied the art of living well at home as better agreeing with his natural temper.  He however has a few stories worth recording.

One story is of a Delaware Indian who boarded some months with his family in early Miami County Ohio, and with whom they lived on terms of most confidential intimacy. The spirit of this man would never submit to the drudgery of common labor, for which he seemed to entertain a profound contempt, but he would toil incessantly in hunting.

One day this man was out near Piqua, and shot at a raccoon. The breech pin of the gun burst out and entered his forehead, the whole length of the flange that secures the barrel to the stock –After recovering from the first shock, the man arose, drew it out, gathered up his game and equipment, and returned home. The brain was sticking about the wound, and could be distinctly seen within the skull, but after he got well, he returned to his accustomed occupation.

The family always inquired after him when any of his tribe came to the house. He remained well for several years: but at last while hunting on the Loramies, in the company of others, he suddenly stood up and fell dead.

It is generally supposed when the brain is thus injured, death is the immediate, inevitable consequence, but this is by no means a solitary instance of restoration after a portion of the brain in front of the head has been destroyed.”